The solution is to prevent it in the first place, but before you splurge on hundred-dollar custom earplugs, test-drive a pair of one-dollar polyurethane foam stoppels, which are great for blocking all sound.

You can also find earplugs for under twenty bucks that block sound over the eighty-five decibel mark but still let you hear what people around you are saying. Depending on your priorities, that can be a good thing or a bad thing!

Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 75 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day.